Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Phippsburg, CO

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has become recognized as an effective resource for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers an extended timeline for observing substances like alcohol by embedding biomarkers within the hair's structure. Hair gathered near the scalp can reveal substance use over a circa 90-day period. Collecting hair is straightforward, tough to tamper with, and hassle-free to transport.

A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches, comprising roughly 200 hair strands (similar to a #2 pencil in size), will yield 100mg - the preferred amount for thorough evaluation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or those exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. It is recommended to use a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. If scalp hair isn't an option, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be taken. References to head hair are about scalp hair exclusively, while body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial and axillary hair).

Process Overview

The laboratory procedures for generating drug test results encompass four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is where the sample first enters a laboratory’s system. This phase verifies that the sample is properly sealed and shipped, assigns a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and incorporates additional data not included by the electronic chain of custody.

Screening offers an initial scan for illicit drugs. While it is an economical method for excluding drug usage in most samples, any positive result in Screening requires validation to hold up in legal settings. Presumptively positive samples identified in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

When a sample yields a presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for Extraction. Here, substances are isolated from hair at concentrations much lower than alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug testing the most challenging method to execute.

Confirmation for any positive identified during Screening is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Every presumptive positive sample gets washed ahead of confirmation if necessary. The complete laboratory process, from Accessioning through Confirmation, is meticulously evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair program and adheres to ISO/IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection timeframe: Hair drug tests can track drug use for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a more limited timeframe.
• Hard to falsify: Manipulating a hair drug test is quite challenging, ensuring more precise outcomes.
• Tracks habitual use: It documents drug habits over time, versus merely immediate consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent activity: Drugs need roughly 5-7 days to become apparent in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing tends to be pricier than alternative methods.
• Discrepancies in results: Factors like hair color and individual variances in hair growth can influence the level of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Frequently termed as "hair follicle tests", the assessment actually evaluates the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine tests in Phippsburg, CO, the advantages become evident. Hair testing surpasses urine tests in detection accuracy and reliability. Its extended detection window makes it ideal for employers committed to a drug-free workplace. Additionally, hair follicle tests are difficult to cheat, offering employers peace of mind and confidence in the results.

Extended Detection Window

One remarkable benefit of hair follicle testing in Phippsburg, CO is its extended detection window. Employers gain a comprehensive understanding of an individual's substance use history over the last 90 days. This extensive timeframe helps in determining patterns or recurring behaviors, ensuring that only the best candidates are considered for important roles or responsibilities.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The reliability of hair follicle tests in Phippsburg, CO is unmatched, significantly reducing the risk of sample tampering. Hair tests are collected under strict oversight, rendering the potential for sample adulteration nearly impossible. This integrity in the collection process ensures that the results are trustworthy, providing clarity and assurance regarding the individual's substance use.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Offering convenient testing locations nationwide, including Phippsburg, CO, ensures that accessing testing services is seamless. Our multiple centers make the process of conducting hair follicle tests quick and hassle-free. With a testing site close by, scheduling and participating in a drug screening becomes more straightforward, saving both time and effort for all involved.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Phippsburg, CO, the hair follicle testing process is both simple and confidential. With an easy-to-follow ordering system, taking the test, and receiving results is straightforward. Privacy concerns are addressed thoroughly, ensuring that each individual’s information remains secure throughout the process, making it both user-friendly and unobtrusive.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our pricing in Phippsburg, CO for hair follicle testing is competitive while offering fast result turnaround. This combination provides great value for businesses of varying sizes. Quick and accurate testing does not mean compromising on cost, making sure that employers benefit from both economic and high-quality testing services.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Phippsburg, CO, precision and speed make hair follicle tests highly effective in drug detection. Hair tests boast a high accuracy rate, leading to reliable results. Their ability to swiftly identify substance use is crucial for employers wanting fast, yet dependable outcomes. With hair testing, you receive conclusions that confidently reflect the substance history of the person tested, ensuring informed decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Phippsburg, CO can ensure adherence to drug-free workplace policies through hair follicle testing. This method not only reduces legal risks but also promotes a safe working environment by deterring drug use among employees. The peace of mind from using a compliance-friendly testing procedure fosters a productive and secure workplace atmosphere.

Drug Testing Near Phippsburg, CO

Gypsum, CO

Wolcott, CO

Craig, CO

Coalmont, CO

Kremmling, CO

State Bridge, CO

Bond, CO

Burns, CO

McCoy, CO

Hayden, CO

Yampa, CO

Steamboat Springs, CO

Milner, CO

Toponas, CO

Oak Creek, CO

What's New In Hair Follicle Drug Testing according to the Hair Drug Testing Experts

With its multidisciplinary nature, hair testing brings together researchers, scientists, and experts from various domains to develop innovative techniques, explore new methodologies, and address emerging concerns, responding to the ever-evolving challenges of drug abuse, therapeutic drug monitoring, and environmental exposures to pollutants.

The joint meeting of the Society of Hair Testing (SoHT) and the Italian Group of Forensic Toxicologists (GTFI) was organized in Verona, June 8–10, 2022, and hosted by the Legal Medicine team of the Verona University Hospital, directed by Franco Tagliaro together with Federica Bortolotti and Rossella Gottardo.

It served as a prominent platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, facilitating groundbreaking advancements in hair testing and analysis. In this special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, we aim to showcase the remarkable manuscripts presented at this significant event, shedding light on the latest research and highlighting the future directions in this field.

Novel Analytical Techniques: The Verona meeting witnessed the unveiling of cutting-edge analytical techniques, offering enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, and accuracy for drug testing. Remarkable advancements in sample preparation, detection, and identification of drug compounds have been presented. The manuscripts in this section presented novel approaches, such as multianalyte methods and on-line preparation which can enable rapid analysis and improve thorough forensic investigations.

Biomarkers and Pharmacokinetics: The identification and validation of reliable biomarkers and pharmacokinetic studies are fundamental aspects of drug testing and analysis. The impact of hair treatments on the oxidation/decomposition of drugs in hair was also explored, as the long-term fate of drugs incorporated in the keratin matrix. Furthermore, the SoHT meeting in Verona featured research on the identification and quantification of alcohol abuse biomarkers, their stability, and their correlation with exposure and other biomarkers.

Forensic Applications and Interpretation: One of the vital objectives of hair testing is its application in forensic investigations and legal proceedings. The SoHT meeting in Verona emphasized the significance of rigorous interpretation of analytical results and the need for standardized protocols. Manuscripts in this section present advancements in forensic toxicology, and have explored the challenges posed by emerging designer drugs and strategies to combat their proliferation. The pitfalls encountered when the exogenous/endogenous nature of a substance is questioned were presented and discussed. The special issue presents also manuscripts that delve into the ethical implications of drug testing in drug facilitated sexual assaults.

Clinical Applications of hair testing are witnessed by the insight on environmental tobacco smoke exposure, assessed by hair analysis in a population of students and the study of in utero-exposure to drugs of abuse through neonatal hair analysis. Exposure to drugs was also important in cases of child abuse/neglect, when the clinical purpose of hair testing merge with its forensic applications.

The legal framework surrounding hair testing and the achievement of guidelines to ensure fairness, accuracy, and confidentiality in drug testing practices have also been discussed,and the SoHT consensus on general hair testing and testing for drugs of abuse was presented at the meeting and published as a Letter to the Editor.

In conclusion, the special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, featuring manuscripts from the SoHT–GTFI meeting in Verona 2022, reflects the remarkable advancements achieved in this field. The manuscripts provide valuable insights into novel analytical techniques, biomarkers, pharmacokinetics, forensic applications, and ethical considerations. As we embrace these advancements, we pave the way for a safer, healthier society, where drug testing and analysis serve as powerful tools in protecting public health and maintaining integrity in various sectors. The research presented in this special issue will undoubtedly shape the future of drug testing and analysis, fostering collaboration and inspiring further innovation in this crucial area of scientific inquiry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews